Let's take a look at what’s going on in the world of marketing to see what you could pick up or focus on next year for more sales and more traffic to your handmade shop.First of all, a little disclaimer: this is NOT a “must do” list of things. Remember to focus on...

If you often feel totally overwhelmed and if, even with the best of intentions, you can’t seem to get stuff done, this article is for you. This is a remake of a really popular post I wrote a few years back. I have improved this yearly planning system even more over...

Time management - something we all deal with and it’s often a struggle. Sometimes you might be feeling really good about it and sometimes you feel like your life is a hot mess. I go through those phases as well and I can’t promise that you will have it all figured out...

Today we're going to talk about 7 biggest mistakes that I see people make on Etsy just so you can make sure that you're not making them. Let's dive in!1: Not niched enough The very first mistake I see many many makers make is not being niched down enough. This means...

Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are around the corner and that marks the official start of the holiday shopping. That means it's usually also the best time for makers and handmade shop owners. There is a lot of advice out there on how to make the most out...

There have been some big changes on the Etsy platform this year, and the biggest one is, of course, the recent changes in the search algorithm. What are those SEO changes and what does it mean for your Etsy shop? Let’s dive in. When it comes to Etsy SEO, one thing is...

Today I want to chat with you about the difference between running a business (even if it doesn't make much money just yet) and having an expensive hobby. This might sound very basic, yet 3 out of 4 makers I talk to on a daily basis fall in the "expensive hobby"...

Well hello there, maker! I'm sure you haven't started your handmade business just for fun. The goal should be to make a living out of it at some point, yet so many makers do not pay themselves. Is this you? Today we're going to talk about it! So, why is this even...

Your handmade or Etsy shop is set up, the products are ready but the sales are not coming or you’re not selling enough? You’ve come to the right place because we’re going to get to the bottom of this. Maybe you already went to Google and typed something like “I don't...

Who’s got time for social media? No one? That’s what I thought. It can be overwhelming and time-consuming so it makes sense to use schedulers… And that’s what I want to talk about today. Trust me, I've tried A LOT of schedulers and tools over the years: Hootsuite...

Today I have something new on the show: I'm bringing you behind-the-scenes and stories from other makers and handmade shop owners! The first episode of Maker's Coffee Chat is with Laura Matteson - enjoy! Laura is a designer and an illustrator that creates products...

Today we're talking about blogging for handmade shops: Do you need to? What to talk about? How often? Is Instagram enough? and so many more! Come and join me and get your blogging questions answered! Show notes: What to blog about? (10:36, 41:57 and 59:44) Is blogging...

If you’re selling on Etsy or considering it, you've probably heard of Pattern, Etsy's website builder. This is not a new feature, it was first released in 2016, so it’s time for a review! Should you use it? Is it worth it? Let’s get into it. When Etsy announced it, I...

I decided to do this video because I hear a lot of people saying they are spending tons of time each week on social media to market their products but not much to show for it. Then when I scroll handmade shop’s Facebook pages and Instagram feeds, I always see the same...

A little while back, Etsy introduced a pretty cool new feature to help you market your handmade shop and handmade products: You can now send a special offer in the form of a coupon code, to shoppers who’ve added your items to their carts or have favorited your items....

It is a known fact in that sales tend to drop in the summer months. There are many reasons why: people are outside enjoying their holidays, busy with kids all day, not as often in front of their computers. So what should you do during the slow summer months? First of...

Want to grow your handmade shop email list but not sure how to convince people to sign up for it? Truth be told, everyone says you should build an email list but you’ve had a form on your shop for a while now an no one is signing up for your newsletter… so how does...

A few days ago, Etsy announced their fee structure was changing and the internet went BOOM. In this episode, we’re going to talk about what the new fees breakdown is, why it’s happening and what you should do about it. Let’s get into it.What 1/ New Transaction...

Today we’re going to talk about pricing handmade (yet again, because it's so important!). It’s uncomfortable, scary and also crucial for your handmade shop and actually having a business rather than just a hobby. This time, I am going to talk about what's really...

Would you build your house on a rented land? I didn’t think so! Today, I want to show you, how the same concept applies when growing your handmade shop. If you’ve used Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Etsy or any of those social media platforms or handmade...

Branding is more than just icing on the cake. Sometimes it’s the difference between having your brand looking professional and getting consistent sales vs. your shop looking more crafty and hearing crickets. Now I don’t think that your logo IS your brand, BUT logos...

Not so long ago, I did a video about hashtags to explain what they were and how to use them. In it, I specifically said that you shouldn't worry about using hashtags on Pinterest. Well, that has changed, and that's what we're going to talk about. Hashtags on Pinterest...

Today’s episode is all about how to use Mailchimp’s new free feature named "landing pages". Now, you might not be dancing with excitement just yet but landing pages are EVERYTHING when it comes to marketing. They help you do 2 very important things:Grow your email...

Pricing handmade products is far from being easy and enjoyable, but it’s a really important aspect of running a successful and profitable handmade shop. If you’re wondering if your pricing strategy is just right or if you should raise your prices, this article should...

To make Instagram work for you and for your business, you have to put your pictures in front of your ideal customers - not in front of other handmade shop owners. You need to find people who will resonate with your products. So much so that they will buy them. How do...

Have you ever thought about running a giveaway to promote your handmade shop but you’re not sure how to make it happen? Then this video is for you! We’re going to cover 5 steps to follow if you want to create a successful giveaway. Clarify your goals This might seem a...

It's time for step 3/3 to selling your handmade product online successfully: sales. If you want to know how to increase your conversion rate (so you can get more sales from the same amount of traffic) and make sure your online shop does the best possible job at making...

Today's topic is step 2 to selling your handmade products online successfully: traffic. I want to talk about what types of traffic are out there and how you can leverage them to bring visitors to your shop, what works and what doesn’t. We’ll also cover on what to...

Today we're talking about step 1 of 3 to selling your handmade products online successfully: foundation. It's often the difference between a shop that's killing it and a shop that's still struggling. Even if you've been selling for some time, I encourage you to listen...

If you’ve been trying to grow your Instagram following, get more likes on your Facebook page or more followers on Pinterest, Twitter or any other social media platform, we need to have a talk. There is a BIG problem with the way we use social media these days. Most of...

Today I’m going to share with you how to create a cohesive product collection. Why even make one and not just let creativity take you places? A cohesive product collection is a great way to let your customer know what your shop and brand are all about. It also makes...

The dollar store stigma. Something that not many talk about - because it’s delicate and not easy - but is also BY FAR the most dangerous phenomenon in the handmade industry, killing a handmade shop’s profit after another. Watch the video to see if it's something...

Today we're going to talk about your shop's "about" page. This is the second most important page right after your storefront on Etsy or homepage on your website. It's visited more than you think and if it doesn't immediately grab attention, you're probably losing...

As a maker trying to sell your handmade products online you've probably looked into opening a blog alongside your handmade shop. Is this something for you? Is it valuable? Is blogging dead? Today we're looking into pros and cons of blogging for your handmade...

More and more of you show interest in Facebook Ads - they are a great way to bring traffic to your shop and to convert that traffic to sales. That’s why I want to talk about it with you today. It’s a veeeery broad topic, so I’m not going to cover everything today, but...

Starting a business and setting up your shop can feel confusing, lonely, and can quickly become slightly overwhelming. For some, a business plan is the solution to all these problems. I have to agree that, on paper, it does sound pretty good. But I am here to warn...

Today we’re going to talk about marketing, and it’s such a juicy topic! I know that’s where a lot of you just want to give up. You love creating your products, but marketing? Not so much. The point is that marketing is what makes or breaks your business, so it’s...

We're getting into this time of year when all everyone is talking about is planning for the new year. That's why today I want to share with you some ideas to help you strategize and plan to make 2018 your most successful year yet for your handmade shop. Ready? The 3x4...

Today we’re going to talk about money, but in a way that isn’t going to turn into a math lesson - I promise! I’ve got a free calculator that I’m going to share with you so that you don’t have to do the math yourself. I’ve talked with a lot of shop owners and makers...

You’ve probably heard me saying how important product photography is when selling online a gazillion times… Well, Whatify can help you determine automagically which of your existing product photos will bring the most sales. That's why today I am joined by special...

Today we're talking about the top 3 reasons most handmade shops fail and I'm going to give you a few tips to avoid that. This is not about shaming you and telling 'Oh, you're doing this! You're definitely going to fail!' I'm just here to give you a bit of insight....

Today we’re going to talk about handmade shop myths that we can read on the internet and often start to believe in. They can be a little bit dangerous to your business if you’re serious about being successful and profitable while keeping sane. There’s a lot of...

Self-doubt is nothing but a fear of failure, that gremlin voice in your head that says: 'what if I can’t make it? What if no one likes my products? What if this is a waste of time? There’s just too much to do I don’t know where to start'. If that is what's going on in...

It's productivity talk today! We're going to talk about how to get 40% more work done in the same amount of time. I've been having a lot of one-on-one conversations with you and it seems that a problem with building a handmade shop is not only what to do next, but...

If you’re anything like me when I started my business, you probably wonder where do people find time to work on their shop. You might have a full-time job, kids to look after, friends and family who want to spend time with you and you’re seriously wondering if this...

Hashtags are a great way to build a community of fans and find customers online. It’s not always easy to understand how they work and how to leverage them, and that is exactly what we’re going to talk about today. We’re going to cover the use of hashtags on 4 social...

Today I'm going to take you behind the scenes and talk about the 8 tools I use to run my creative business. This entrepreneurial life is hard so I want to show you what I use to get stuff done while keeping sane. Sounds good?You can watch the video, or read the post...

Time to get ready for Christmas! Last week we’ve talked about how to get your online shop ready for the Christmas holidays. This week we are going to take a look at another FABULOUS sales channel around Christmas: retail stores. So how do you get your products to...

August is coming to an end and as weird as it might feel, now is the time to start prepping for Christmas. In today's Tizzit.Tv Live Episode I'm going to share with you the actions you need to take from now on up until December. Plus, I have a FREE checklist with all...

Wondering how to design those long style images for Pinterest with no design skills whatsoever and no expensive software? Done! Check out this tutorial I made for you :-)Any questions? Let me know in the comments! I am always happy to help. And if you want to...

If you're like me, you only have a limited amount of time each week to promote your shop's products. It's important you focus on what WORKS vs what is just a waste of time. Discover what social media platform is right for your shop in this Tizzit.Tv Live Episode (and...

Building an online store and selling your handmade products online these days is easier than it's ever been because you can find all the information you need online for free. But overwhelm and information overload have become a real issue. Too many ideas, too much...

Let’s talk traffic! I see makers and handmade shop owners make the same mistakes when trying to bring traffic to their store. There's 6 of them that I see happening again and again. Are you making any of these traffic mistakes?#1 Relying too much on your Facebook Page...

When it's time to build your own online store to sell your handmade products online, there is one question that seems to rule them all: Should you use Shopify or should you use WordPress? What's best? What's the difference? And ultimately, how are you meant to...

Today we're talking about pricing and more specifically, I want to help you with one simple exercise to help you "reality-check" your handmade prices. This article was inspired by one of the TIZZIT community members who asked me if he should lower his prices to be...

It's already June! Wait, whaaaat?! It can be a scary time of the year because we all realise that this list of things we wrote down in January that we wanted to get done this year is FAR from being halfway done. Maybe you didn't even write down your goals at the...

If you're not using Pinterest yet to promote your handmade business, get more traffic to your store, and sell more of your beautiful products then we definitely need to talk! Here are the top five reasons why you need to start using Pinterest to promote your handmade...

Are you getting traffic to your handmade store but actually struggling to convert those visitors into sales and buying customers? This article is for you! About your conversion rate To turn your visitors into paying customers, we need to increase your conversion...

Are you tired of being scr*wed around by customers who ask for a custom order and never end up buying it? Or even more frustrating, people who ask for so many changes to the original item that you end up creating a product you don't even like? It's time we talk about...

Some people will tell you that discounts aren't really good for your business, and make your brand and your products look cheap. Others are going to tell you, "Well, promotions and sales work, so why wouldn't you discount your products?" So...should you discount your...

Should you sell on Etsy or on your own website? I know, right? That's a question that everyone is asking, and there's never a right or wrong answer to this problem. Today, I want to do things a little bit differently and instead of listening the pros and cons of Etsy...

Selling your handmade products on your own online store is a great way to reach a wider audience, get more sales and grow your handmade shop. But with all the features and platforms available these days, it can be a hard to know what features you should focus on, that...

I found something I'm completely in love with, and I am so excited to share it with you because it can really help you improve your handmade product packaging and do it in a way that's affordable. Let me introduce you to (drum-rolls) Moo Mini Cards! You can watch the...

From time to time it's going to happen. Someone is going to leave a bad review on one of your products, you heart will sink. Maybe it already happened and left you feeling really anxious? Trust me, I understand! Let me show you how to deal with bad product reviews and...

This crazy simple step when working on writing down your to-do list can help you be 10x more productive! This tactic helped me squeeze in my side-project in between my full time work and my personal life when I was just getting started, and I hope it can do the same...

I’ve been fortunate enough to work with many makers, Etsy sellers and handmade shop owners over the last couple of years and the biggest lesson I’ve learnt is this: It can be so hard to decide what to do next and what to focus on. Feeling like there’s...

It’s taken everything in me NOT to share this with you until now and I am SO glad I finally get to let you know what I’ve secretly been working on for the last couple of months! I am as excited as this booty-shaker boxer! Seriously though, I am so excited to reveal...

Many makers struggle to figure out how to pay themselves for the work they do in their creative business. When starting out, it’s all about trying to make sales first; and personal and business finances are often mixed up. There is a better way to pay yourself, pay...

If you have a creative hobby that you’d like to turn into a full-time gig, you’re probably wondering where to start and when “it will finally happen” so you’ll be able to quit your 9 to 5. Whether you’re just in the planning stage, or already selling on Etsy or at...

Once you have decided to turn your hobby into a business, the next thing you have to do is decide what type of business you want to be running. There are different handmade business models you can choose from, depending on your personal preferences, the products you...

Branding can do wonderful things for your handmade business. But once you’ve defined with clarity what your brand is all about and who your ideal customer is, putting the visual, tangible elements of your brand together can quickly turn into a nightmare...especially...

Packaging your handmade products in a creative and professional way will help you grow your handmade business. By adding value to your products, it can take your shop from “craft shop” to “designer shop”, and help you delight your customers and turn them into raving...

Product photography is make or break when it comes to taking your craft business to the next level. When selling online, people are “buying a picture”. Having professional looking product shots that represent your product accurately is crucial to create trust and get...

Most handmade shop owners start their businesses by selling on Etsy. It’s easy to set up, and if used right, selling on Etsy can put your store in front of thousands of potential customers. But there might a time where you find yourself at a crossroads, wanting to...

Pricing is the centerpiece of your handmade business. The reason is simple: to be successful and make a living off your online shop, you need to be profitable. And to be profitable, well... You have to price for profit. Truth is, it can feel very uncomfortable, and if...

A little while ago, I talked about why branding is important and all the amazing things it can do for your business. But how can you create a brand that your customers will remember, and that truly stands out from the competition? Fonts, colors, appealing visuals......

About to start an online shop and wondering if people will pick up what you put down? Is this product idea a good one? Trusting your guts and following your heart is an important part of running a business and launching a unique and successful online shop. But diving...

Would it be less scary starting your handmade biz if you knew in advance that YES your products will sell? Of course it would! Although there isn't a magical formula that can give you a 100% guaranteed answer to that burning question, there are practical things you...

A customer profile is a semi fictional representation of who your ideal customer is. I couldn't think of a better way to explain why it matters so much than with these words: "As painful as it is [...] nobody gives a shit. Nobody cares about you or your product....

Do you want to launch an online shop and sell your products to the world? (Voices cheering, hands clapping...). So that's a yes? Yay! That's so exciting, right?! Yep, it sure is, but it can feel slightly overwhelming too: "Did I forget anything?" "What do I even need...

Being active on social media is a great way to build a following of fans and grow your business by promoting your products and your brand to a bazillion of potential customers. If you know you have to be more active on social media, but you're not sure what type of...

Mission statement, vision, values, elevator pitch: are these all the same? Well... yes and no. To be honest there's a lot of noise around all these buzz words when really, it doesn't matter what you call it. What matters is that you know where you're headed, and how...

Starting and growing your own business will be a path of trial and error. You have to try things out to see what works and what doesn't. But, there are a few things that all successful handmade shop owners know you can't succeed without. You can think of them as "pre...

A quick reminder of the benefits of having your own site. Etsy is a great way to sell your handmade products, but it also has limitations. Having your own site will help you: - gain autonomy and control over your business. You will not be depending solely...

Email marketing matters more than ever if you want to have a successful handmade shop and a profitable business. Studies show that emails have a higher conversion rate (meaning people reading it end up buying your products) and a better engagement rate (people...

A question that I hear quite often in the handmade world is: “Do I need my own website? or is Etsy enough?” Here is my honest answer: the only reason you shouldn’t have your own website is if you are only doing this as a hobby. Either that or barely getting started,...

The entrepreneurial journey is one of adventures, epic successes and majestic fails. And along the road, two questions seem to always be coming back, especially if you're a creative: 1 - "How on earth I am supposed to know what to do to grow this thing? I have no clue...